The Guardian posted a list of the top 10 books for children six to eight years old. I had a look at it and was astonished to realize I’ve never read a single one. I think I need to stop reading these lists because somehow my claims to being a well-read girl are always jeopardized.
Still this made me think of the books I read as a child, and at that age one of my favorite books was a small collection of the illustrated Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales. An uncle had given that to me as a birthday present and I remember spending hours reading the stories of fair maidens and evil beings lurking around.
I read a lot as a child as well (big surprise right), but hey what are you gonna do when you are an only kid? I would ask my parents for The Berenstain Bears books, Curious George stories, and as I got older it was all about the Judy Blume books. Honestly I don’t know if I could have gotten through sixth grade without Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret?
Ah well, it’s so nice to reminisce. Maybe I’ll go pull out that nice worn copy of the fairy tales and read some tonight.
But before I sign off, tonight’s poetry lines are from Ogden Nash, a poet Patricia enjoys reading.
How pleasant to sit on the beach,
On the beach, on the sand, in the sun,
With ocean galore within reach,
And nothing at all to be done!
No letters to answer,
No bills to be burned,
No work to be shirked,
No cash to be earned,
It is pleasant to sit on the beach
With nothing at all to be done!
Excerpt from Pretty Halcyon Days. Ogden Nash was born in Rye, New York in 1902. He is considered one of the few American humorous poets. He was a teacher, salesman, and editorial staff worker for The New Yorker.
